Fractions - Add Fractions - Planning

In a comprehensive Year 6 lesson on adding fractions, students delve into the process of combining mixed numbers and understanding fractions with different denominators. The lesson is structured with a small step starter to recap prior learning, followed by class teaching input, independent learning, and a plenary session. Key vocabulary such as 'numerator', 'denominator', 'equivalent fractions', 'mixed numbers', and 'improper fractions' are introduced, with resources including worksheets and a presentation to support the lesson. The class begins by discussing strategies for adding mixed numbers, highlighting the importance of adding whole numbers separately from fractions and finding a common denominator to combine the fractional parts. Students are encouraged to convert any resulting improper fractions into mixed numbers and to simplify where necessary.

Further activities involve alternative methods of adding fractions, such as converting mixed numbers into improper fractions before finding the lowest common multiple (LCM) to identify a common denominator. After practicing these methods, students engage in partner discussions to share their preferred strategies and the reasoning behind their choices. Practical application of the lesson is facilitated through word problems and reasoning tasks from the teaching slides, which students tackle in small groups. The lesson aims to solidify their understanding of adding fractions and address common misconceptions, such as simplifying final answers and applying previous knowledge of conversions between improper fractions and mixed numbers. Differentiated fluency and reasoning worksheets support independent learning, and the lesson concludes with a reflective 'Give me five' activity to consolidate key learning points and strategies used during the lesson.